Warp knitting machine



eb. 6, 1951 F. LAMBACH 2,540,128

WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1945 5 sheets-sheet 1 Peb. 6, 1951.F. LAMBACH WAR? KNITTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 8, 1945INVENTOR fk/TZ A7/75H67! Z JATTORNEY Feb, 6, 1951 F. LAMBACH 2,540,128

WARP KNITTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 8, 1945 BY a? ATTORNEY Feb., 6, 1951 F. LAMBACH wARP KNITTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledDec. s, 1945 uNvENToFa. /C/'f/TZ 4/7540/ ATTORNEY Feb. 6, 1951 F.LAMBACH WARP KNITTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 1| wwgw aU u 1J u UUMII n N .n.. L .uuu b I|| l M% H 2 J/ A 1H|u| u n w l uuu O e 02 2@ 4 m9| mul V llllll I Irliiililil if f l||. 9 0 J 0 0 4 4 INVENTOR PatentedFeb. 6, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARP KNITTING MACHINE FritzLambach, Tenafly, N. J., assgnor to Robert Reiner, Inc., Weehawken, N.J.

Application December 8, 1945, Serial No. 633,692

23 Claims; 1

My invention relates to textile machines, and more particularly to warpknitting machines or so-called Kayloom machines, wherein one or moreller thread carriers are mounted on a reciprocable flexible transmissionmeans, such as a band for example, for laying ller thread adjacent aseries of needles for subsequent incorporation into fabric produced bythe knitting implements of the machine from warp yarns drawn from warpbeams.

An object of the present invention is to provide a warp knitting machineof above described type with a iiller thread carrier drive for actuatingsuch a iieXible transmission means, which may be readily adjusted insuch a way, that ller thread is laid by the filler thread carrier atregular or irregular intervals or alternatively at regular and irregularintervals so as to obtain any desired pattern of the fabric produced bythe machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a Warp knittingmachine of above described type with a ller thread carrier drive foractuating such a flexible transmission means,`

`which may be readily adjusted for imparting strokes of various lengthto the ller thread carrier.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a filler threadcarrier drive of advantageous construction with rather light means to beaccelerated for imparting small strokes to the iiller thread carrier orcarriers.

Still another obiect of the present invention is to provide a warpknitting machine of above described type with a first or main iillerthread carrier drive for imparting periodic movements to thereciprocable eXible transln'issionA means when the filler thread carriermounted thereon shall be reciprocated over substantially the entirelength of the series of needles of the machine, and with a second oradditional ller thread carrier drive for imparting periodic movements tothe reciprocable flexible transmission means when the ller threadcarrier or carriers mounted thereon shall be reciprocated over afraction of the length of the series of needles of the machine.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such anadditional filler thread carrier drive, which may be readily attached toa Warp knitting machine of above described type.

Another object of the present invention is to improve on theconstruction of warp knitting machines of above described type as nowordinarily made.

My invention consists incertain novel features' 2 of` construction of myimprovements as will be hereinafter fully described.

The above mentioned objects and advantages as well as other objects andadvantages will be more fully described in the following speciiication,reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of thisspecification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of a warp knitting machine accordingto the invention, some parts being broken away and some parts beingshown in section,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the warp knitting machine, takenon line 2-2 of Fig. l,

Fig. 3' is a fragmentary right-hand side elevational view of the warpknitting machine, illustrating the main iiller thread carrier drive forthe actuation of the filler thread carrier when the latter shall bereciprocated over substantially the entire length of the series ofneedles of the machine,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational View of the additional llerthread carrier drive including a pattern mechanism for the actuation ofthe iiller thread carrier or carriers when the latter shall bereciprocated over a fraction of the length of the series of needles ofthe machine,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the drum carrying a series of patternelements actuating the mechanism of the additional filler thread carrierdrive, taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the flexible band supporting the fillerthread carriers, and

Fig. 8 illustrates a different embodiment of the pattern mechanism forthe additional iiller thread carrier drive in the shape of a patternchain drive.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, 2li generally indicates the frame of thewarp knitting machine composed of several parts in a suitable manner. Amain cam shaft 22 journalled in suitable bearing of the frame may berotated by a motor 24 connected with said main cam shaft through a beltdrive generally indicated by 26.

Several sinker bar cams 28 (only one being shown in the drawings) arekeyed to the main cam shaft 22. Each of said sinker bar cams 28 is inoperative engagement with a roller 3D rotatably mounted on a sinker barrocker 32 keyed to a sinker bar shaft 34 rotatably mounted in suitablebearings of the frame. A tension spring 36 stretched between one end ofsaid sinker bar rocker 32 and a stationary point of thek machine tendsto urge the roller 30 against the surface of the sinker bar cam 28. Theother end of said sinker bar rocker 32 and the free end of a pluralityof sinker bar arms 40 keyed to the sinker bar shaft 34 carry a sinkerbar 42 secured to said ends of the sinker bar rocker and sinker bar armsby screws. The sinker bar 42 extending over the width of the warpknitting machine carries a series of ller sinkers 44 secured thereto inany suitable manner. Above described sinker bar drive 28, 30, 32, 34associated with said sinker bar 42 may reciprocate the sinker bar 42with its ller sinkers 44 in a forward and backward direction A independence on the shape of the sinker bar cam 28.

Furthermore, several needles bar cams 46 are keyed to the main cam shaft22. Eachof said needle bar cams cooperates with a roller I48 journalledon a needle bar rocker 50 swingably mounted on the sinker bar shaft 34.A tension spring 52 stretched between the. needle bar rocker 50 and astationary point of the machine tends to urge the roller 48 against thesurface of the needle bar cam 46. On each side of the needle bar rocker50, one end of a connecting link 54 is pivoted to the needle bar rocker56 at 56. The other end of said connecting link 54 is pivotally andadjustably connected with a needle bar arm 58 keyed to a needle barshaft 69 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the frame 20. Aneedle bar 62 carrying a series of needles 64 and extending over thewidth of the machine is secured to the needle bar arms 58 by screws.Above described needle bar drive 46, 48, 50, 54, 58 associated with theneedle bar 62 may reciprocate said needle bar 62 with its needles 64 inan upward and downward direction B in dependence on the shape of theneedle bar cam 46.

Furthermore, several guide bar cams 12 are keyed to the main cam shaft22. Each of said guide bar cams cooperates with a roller rotatablymounted on a guide bar rocker 16 swingably mounted on the sinker barshaft 34. A tension spring 18 stretched between the guide bar rocker 16and a stationary point of the machine tends to urge the roller 14against the surface of the guide bar cam 12. One end of a connectinglink 89 is pivotally and adjustably connected with the guide bar rocker16 at 82, the other end of said connecting link 80 is pivoted to one endof a guide bar arm 84 at 86. The other end of said guide bar arm 84 iskeyed to a guide bar shaft 88 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings ofthe frame 20. A series of spaced brackets 300 is keyed to said guide barshaft 88. Five supporting elements 302 (only one being shown in Fig. 1)are screwed to each of said brackets 300. A mounting structure generallyindicated by 90 is slidably arranged in each of said supporting elements302 for reciprocating movements in the direction C of the longitudinalaxis of the machine. Reference is also had to my copending patentapplication relating to A Structure for suspending a Guide Bar From aBracket of a Warp Knitting Machine, Serial #632,014, iiled November 30,1945, now Patent No. 2,428,030. The machine comprises live guide bars92, extending longitudinally of the machine, each of them being securedto a series of said mounting structures 90 in a row extendinglongitudinally of the machine. Each guide bar 92 carries a series ofwarp guides 94, by means of which warp yarns 96 drawn from rotatablewarp beams (not shown) are fed to the needles 64. Above described guidebar drives 12, 14, 16, 80 84 associated with the guide bar shaft 88 mayimpart periodic rocking movements in the direction of the arrow D tosaid guide bar shaft and the guide bars 92 with their warp guides 94 independence on the shape of the guide bar cam 12.

As mentioned above, the mounting structures 90, and of course the guidebars 92 connected therewith, may be reciprocated in the direction of thearrow C. The drive for imparting periodic shifting movements in thedirection of the arrow C to the guide bars 92 and the warp guides 94 isas follows:

A helical gear 402 (see Figs. 1 and 6) keyed to the main cam shaft 22 isin mesh with a helical gear 499 keyed to the lower end of vertical shaft498 journalled in suitable bearings 40| of a support 403 secured to theframe 20 of the machine. A cam gear 396 (see Figs. 1 and 4) is keyed tothe upper end of said vertical shaft 398. Said cam gear 396 has twogrooves 391 and 399, and each of said grooves has two substantiallyhorizontal sections connected with each other by an inclined section.Each groove extends through substantially one-half of the circumferenceof-the cam gear 396. The grooves 391 and 399 of the cam gear 396 arearranged for engagement with pins 394 of a pin gear 392 keyed to ahorizontal shaft 390 journalled in suitable bearings 39! of the support403. A drum 388 having live circular grooves 381 is keyed to the shaft398. Five pattern chains 382 engaged with said grooves 381 are trainedaround said drum 388 and idle rollers 386. The machine comprises vecarriages 316 (only one being shown in Fig. l) slidably arranged forreciprocating movements in guides 318 mounted on the frame 20. Eachcarriage 316 is provided with a roller 311 for engagement with theelements of the pattern chain 382. A spring 384 acting on a lever 383swingably mounted on the support 403 at 385 and engaged with thecarriage 316 tends to urge the roller 311 against the pattern chain 382.Each carriage 316 is provided with an element 314 detachably mounted onsaid carriage. Said element 314 has a spherical portion in movableengagement with a spherical recess at one end of an adjustableconnecting rod 312. A spherical recess at the other end of saidconnecting rod 312 is in engagement with a spherical portion of anelement 310 detachably connected with a member 369 secured to theleft-hand end of the mounting structure arranged at the left-hand end ofthe machine. A spring 380 stretched between the carriage 316 and saidmounting structure 90 tends to hold the connecting rod 312 in engagementwith the spherical members 310 and 314. When the pattern chains 382 areadvanced, the guide bars 92 secured to the structures 90 are shifted tothe right (as lviewed in Fig. 1) and to the left in the direction of thearrow C by means of the connecting rods 312 in dependence on the shapeof the elements of the pattern chains 382. The ratio of the helicalgears 460, 402 and the shape and arrangement of the grooves 391, 399 inthe cam gear 396 is such, that the pin gear 392 `and the drum 388 keyedto the shaft 390 carrying said pin gear are moved intermittently in twosteps through two angles, each angle corresponding to the distancebetween two pins or one pitch, during one revolution of the main camshaft. During the rst step, the guide bar 92 with its guides 94 isshifted in one direction, and during the second step the guide bar 92with its guides 94 is shifted in the opposite direction.

As best shown in Fig. 1, an endless band |28 autogasVV of flexiblematerial is trained around two drums |38, |32, each of said drums isjournaled in suitable bearings of brackets Vmounted on the frame 26. Thedrum |32 is connected with the main filler thread carrier drive, to bedescribed hereinafter, by means of which the drum |32 may beperiodically rotated in clockwise direction or counter-clockwisedirection, whereby a periodic reciprocating movement is imparted to theband |28 with a stroke substantially corresponding to the entire widthof the machine. As best shown in Fig. 7, said band |28 is provided witha series of holes |29. One or more filler threads carriers generallyindicated by |34 may be selectively xed at suitable places to saidflexible band |23 by means of screws |3I or the like inserted into holesof the band. The filler thread carrier or carriers may slide on a guide|35 (Fig. 2) mounted on the frame of the machine. Each of the illerthread carriers |34 mounted on the band |28 receives filler thread |36from a ller thread supply (not shown). When the ller thread carrier orcarriers |34 are moved from one end position into another end positionin the direction of the longitudinal axis of the machine, iiller threadis laid by said filler thread carrier or carriers substantially parallelto the series of needles 64 onto a bridge formed by stationary elements|84, which may be called stationary ller thread receiving elements.

The main ller thread carrier drive associated with the band |28 forreciprocating same and a filler thread carrier |34 mounted thereonthroughout a stroke substantially corresponding to the entire width ofthe machine is best shown in Figs. 1 and 3. A pinion |38 keyed to theend of the main cam shaft 22 is in mesh with a gear |48 keyed to a shaft|42 journalled in suitable bearings of a support |43 mounted on theframe 26. A cam |44 keyed to said` shaft |42 is in engagement with aroller |46 rotatably mounted on a rocker |48 keyed to a shaft |50journalled in bearings of the support |43. A tension spring |52stretched between the rocker |48 and a stationary stud |54 of themachine tends to urge the roller |46 against the surface of the cam |44.An arm |56 keyed to the shaft |58 is pivoted at |68 to one forked end ofa connecting link |62, the other forked end of which is pivoted at |66to one end of an arm |64. The other end of said arm |64 is keyed to ashaft |68 journalled in bearings of the support |43. The end of an arm|18 keyed to said shaft |68 is pivoted to one end of a connecting rod|12 at |14. The other end of said connecting rod |12 is pivotallyconnected with the lower end of a, rack |16 by means of a pin |18. Saidpin |18 is held in its position by means of a nut |18 and may be removedafter an unscrewing of said nut |19 for a disengagement of saidconnecting rod |12 from said rack |16 for a purpose to be describedhereinafter. Said rack |16 is slidably arranged in a guide |88 mountedon a bracket |82 of the machine. A pinion |84 in mesh with said rack |16is keyed to a shaft |86 journalled in bearings of the bracket |82. Thedrum |32 engaged with a band |28 is keyed to the shaft |86. As will bereadily understood, above described main ller thread carrier drive |38,|48, |44, |48, |56, |62, |64, V56, |12, |16, |84, |32, may cause amovement of the band |28 with a ller'thread carrier mounted thereon tothe right or to the left, depending on the upward or downward movementcf the rack |16 in dependence on the shape of the cam |44. The ratiobetween the pinion |38 and the Vgear |48 is 1:2, and the cam |44 is ofsuch a shape, that the ller thread carrier |34 fixed to the band |28preforms either one movement to the right from its extreme left-handposition into its extreme right-hand position (i. e. a strokesubstantially corresponding `to the entire length of the series ofneedles 64 of the machine) with a subsequent stand-still in its ex-ltreme right-hand position, or one movement to the left from its extremeright-hand position into its extreme left-hand position, (i. e. again astroke substantially corresponding to the entire length of the series ofneedles 64 of the machine) with a subsequent standstill in its extremeleft-hand position during one full rotation of the main cam shaft 22corresponding to one cycle of knitting operations. As will be readilyunderstood, when above described main ller thread carrier drive is usedfor reciprocating the band |26, the filler thread carrier mounted on theband performs a stroke substantially corresponding to the length of theseries of needles of the machine, whereby iiller thread is laid adjacentthe series of needles substantially along the entire length of saidseries of needles. Said main filler thread carrier drive is used, whenit is desired to manufacture a wide piece of fabric.

If it is desired to knit simultaneously a plurality of narrow fabrics,ribbons, or the like, above described main ller thread carrier drive isdisengaged from the rack |16 by removing the pin |18, and furthermorethe spring |52 may be disengaged from the stud |54, whereupon theadditional ller thread carrier drive to be described hereinafter may beconnected with the band |28 for reciprocating same with a plurality offiller thread carriers |34 mounted thereon through strokes correspondingto a fraction of the length of the series of needles of the machine.

As best shown in Figs. 4-6 the drum 388 driving the pattern chain 382has a sixth groove 484 receiving a, plurality of cam-like patternelements or cam bits 466, 488, 4|8, 4|2 held in their position by meansof a ring 4|4 attached to the drum 388 by means of screws 4|6. Theholding ring 4 i4 is engaged with recesses at the roots of the cam-likepattern elements or cam bits 40S- 4|2. Said cam-like pattern elements48'6-4I2 form a pattern cam generally indicated by 4| 8 having fourthhigh portions and four low portions, each of them having a dwell. Theuse of the detachable ring 4|4 permits a ready exchange of the cam-likepattern elements 406- 4|2, if a pattern cam 4|3 of different shape isdesired for a different operation of the machine. A roller 420journal'led on an intermediate point of a rocking lever 422 swingablymounted on the shaft 385 is held in engagement with the surface of saidpattern cam 4|8 by means of a spring 424 stretched between said rockinglever 422 and a stationary hook 426. The upper end of said rocking lever422 is provided with a series of holes 428. yOne end of a connecting rod436 may be pivoted with the upper end of said rocking lever 422 by meansof a pin 432 selectively engaged with one of said holes 428. A rockingarm swingably mounted at 436 on a bracket 438 secured to the frame 28 ofthe machine is provided with a series of holes 448. The other end ofsaid connecting rod 438 may be pivotally connected with rocking arm 434by a selective engagement of a pivot 442 with one of said holes 440. Thelower end of the rocking arm 434 is pivoted to one end of an actuatingrod 444 of adjustable length by means of a, pin

446, which is disengageable for a purpose to be described hereinafter.The other end of said actuating rod 444 is connected with an extension448 of a connecting element generally indicated by 450. Said connectingelement may be attached to the band |28 by means of screws 452 passingthrough holes of the band |28.

As mentioned above, during one revolution of the main cam shaft, the pingear 392 having sixteen pins 394 is rotated intermittently in two stepsthrough two angles, each angle corresponding to the distance between twopins. Consequently, the drum 388 carrying sixteen pattern elements 40S-M2 is rotated during such 3, revolution of the main cam shaftcorresponding to one cycle of knitting operations through two angles acorresponding to the circumferential length of two pattern elements.Therefore, in accordance with thel shape of such two adjacent patternelements, the filler thread carriers |34 mounted on the band |28 performeither one movement to the left with a subsequent standstill in theirleft-hand end position or one movement to the right with a subsequentstandstill in their right-hand end position during one full rotation ofthe main cam shaft 22 corresponding to one cycle of knitting operations.The length of the stroke of the ller thread carriers |34 equals to thelength of the stroke a of the connecting element 540, which is only afraction of the length of the series of needles of the machine. Thelength of said stroke a may be readily adjusted by inserting the pin 432and/or 442 into a diiferent hole of the rocking lever 422 and/or rockingarm 434. Thus, when above described additional filler thread carrierdrive is used for reciprocating the band |28, the filler thread carriersattached to said band lay ller thread adjacent the series of needlesalong a fraction of the length of said series of needles.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the exchangeable cam-likepattern elements 40G-M2 are chosen in such a way, that the pattern cam4|8 formed by said pattern elements is of regular and symmetrical shape,so that, as described above, ler thread is laid at regular intervalsduring the knitting of each row of stitches, and so that each timefiller thread is laid along the same fraction of the length of theseries of needles. If it is desired to have filler thread laid atirregular intervals, so that, for example, filler thread is laid onlyduring the knitting of three consecutive rows of stitches and is notlaid during the knitting of the next row of stitches, such an operationof the warp knitting machine may be readily obtained by rep'acing someof the pattern elements by pattern elements of dilTerent shape.Furthermore, if it is desired to have filler thread laid at regular orirregular intervals along different fractions of the length of theseries of needles, such an operation of the warp knittng machine may bereadily obtained by replacing some of the pattern elements by patternelements of different heights.

A still greater variety of patterns of the fabric produced by the warpknitting machine may be obtained, if the cam-like pattern elements40B-M2 are replaced by a pattern chain H9 laid around the drum 388 asshown in Fig. 8.

If it is desired to use the main filler thread carrier drive for acertain operation of the machine, the additional filler thread carrierdrive may be readily disengaged from the band |28 by disconnecting theconnecting element 45D (Fig. 4) from the band and by removing the pin446 for disengaging the actuating rod 444 from the rocking arm 434.

The warp knitting machine shown in the drawings is equipped with a mainfiller thread carrier drive for the manufacture of Wide pieces of fabricand with an additional filler thread carrier drive for the manufactureof narrow pieces of fabric. It is understood, that said main fillerthread carrier drive may be entirely omitted, if the warp knittingmachine is to be used only for the manufacture of narrow pieces offabric such as ribbons or the like.

Furthermore, instead of the band |28 shown in the drawings otherflexible transmission means, such as a chain or the like, may be used,if desired.

Moreover, the warp knitting machine shown in the drawings is equippedwith an intermittent drive, i. e. the cam gear 396 and the pin gear 392,for the actuation of the pattern chains 382 and the pattern cam 4|8 orpattern chain 4|9. It is understood, that said intermittent drive may bereplaced by a continuous drive, for example two helical gears in meshwith each other, if desired.

Furthermore, the filler thread carrier drive actuated by a patternmechanism 4|8 or 4| 9 according to the invention, may also be applied towarp knitting machines having two series of needles instead of one asshown in the drawings.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it isunderstood that this disclosure is for the purpose of illustration andthat various omissions or changes in shape, proportion, or arrangementin parts as well as the substitution of equivalent elements for thoseherein shown or described may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding warp yarns to saidneedles, reciprocable ilexible transmission means extendingsubstantially parallel to said series of needles, at least one fillerthread carrier selectively iixable on said flexible transmission means,a rotatable drum, a drive for rotating said drum, a pattern chain laidaround said drum, and transmission actuating means arranged foractuation by said pattern chain and associated with said flexibletransmission means for imparting periodic strokes to said flexibletransmission means with filler thread carrier mounted thereon so as tolay filler thread adjacent said series of needles.

2. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding warp yarns to saidneedles, reciprocable flexible transmission means extendingsubstantially parallel to said series of needles, at least one llerthread carrier selectively flxable on said exible transmission means,main ller thread carrier actuating means, a drive for driving said mainller thread carrer actuating means, said main 'ler thread carrieractuating means being associated with said flexible transmission meansand being constructed for imparting periodic strokes of a lengthsubstantially corresponding to the length of the series of needles tosaid flexible transmission means with filler thread carrier mountedthereon so as to lay ller thread adjacent said series of needlessubstantially along the entire length thereof, additional ller threadcarrier actuating means, and

of the series of needles. to saidV exible transmis v sion means withliler thread carrier' mounted thereon so as to lay nller thread.adjacent said series of needles along a fraction of the length thereof,and at least one of said filler thread carrier actuating means. being'disengageable from said exible transmission means.`

3. In a warpv knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding Warp yarnsl to saidneedles, reciprocable exible transmission means extending substantiallyparallel t6 said` series of needles, at least one ller thread carrier'selec'- tively fixable on said flexible transmission means; mainnllerthread carrier actuating means, a drive for driving said main llerthread carrier actuating means, said main iiller thread carrieractuating means being associated with saidiiexi-A ble transmission meansand being constructed for imparting periodic strokes of a lengthsubstantially corresponding to the length of the series' of needles tosaid flexible transmission means with filler thread carrier mountedthereon so as to lay filler thread adjacent said series of needlessubstantially along the entire length thereof, and additional fillerthread carrier actuating means, said additional ller thread carrieractuating means including a pattern mechanism, a drive-,fr actuatingsaid pattern mechanism, and-'transmission actuating' means arranged foractuation by said pattern mechanism and associated with said nexibletransmission means, said additional ller thread carrier actuating meansbeing constructed for imparting periodic strokes of a length corresponding to a fraction of the length of the series. of needles to saidflexible transmission means with iiller thread carrier mounted thereonso as to lay filler thread adjacent said series of needles along. afraction of the' length thereof', and'` at least one of said. llerthread` carrier' ace tuating means being disengageablel frontiA saidflexible transmission means. Y

4.. In a warpl knitting. machinez. atleast. one series. of needlesextending longitudinally ofthe machine, at least one reciprocable'-guidel bai carrying. a series of Warp guides, a rst pattern mechanism, adrive forv actuating said. first pattern mechanism, said nrst patternmechanism being. associatedwith said guide bar4 for impart-` ingperiodic strokes to said guide" bai-'so` as to feed Warp' yarns to saidneedles,v at least one filler thread carrier selectively xable on saidexible transmission means,` main ller thread carrier actuating means,v adrive fori driving said main llej` thread'. carrier actuating means;ysaid main ller thread carrier actuating means being associated with saidilexible transmission. means and being constructed for impartingfperiodic strokes of a` length substantially;corresponding to the lengthof the series of needles. to. said flexible transmission means with.ll'erf thread carrier mounted` thereon sov as to layller threadadjacentsaid series'of needlessubstantially along the entire length thereof, andadditionaliillerrthread carrier actuating: means', said additionatll'erandres 10 second pattern mechanism and associated with said ilexibletransmission means, said additional filler thread carrier actuatingmeans being constructed for imparting periodic strokes of a lengthcorresponding to a fraction of the length of the series of needles tosaid ilexible transmission means with filler thread carrier mountedthereon so as to lay filler thread adjacent said series of needles alonga fraction of the length thereof, and at least one of said iiller threadcarrier actuating means being disengageable from said Vflexibletransmission means.

5. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, said patternmechanism including pattern elements exchangeably arranged in saidpatternl mechanism.

6. InA a Warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, said transmissionactuating means including adjustable means for adjusting the length ofthe stroke ofv said exible transmission means.

'7. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, said transmissionactuating means being directly connected with said exible transmissionmeans.

8. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding warp yarns to saidneedles, reciprocable flexible transmission means extendingsubstantially parallel to said series of needles, at least one llerthread carrier selectively iixable on said flexible transmission means,a pattern mechanism, a swingable rocking lever arranged for engagementwith said pattern mechanism, a swingable rocking arm, a connecting rodpivotally connected with said rocking lever and said rocking arm, arecipr-ocable actuating rod, one end of said actuating rod being pivotedto said rocking arm, the other end of said actuating rod being arrangedfor attachment to said nexible transmission means, and a driveassociated with said pattern mechanism for actuating the latter andimparting by the latter periodic strokes to said reciprocable actuatingrod and to said ilexible transmission means with filler thread carriermounted thereon so as to lay filler thread adjacent said series ofneedles.

9. In a Warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding warp yarns to saidneedles, reciprocable iexible transmission means extending substantiallyparallel to said series of needles, at least one nller thread carrierselectively iixable onsaid flexible transmission means, a patternmechanism, a swingable rocking lever arranged for engagement with saidpattern mechanism, a swingable rocking arm, a connecting" rod pivotallyconnected with said rocking lever and said rocking arm, means wherebythe effective length4 of said connecting rod may be adjusted, areciprocable actuating rod, one' end of said actuating rod being pivotedto said rocking arm', the other end of said actuating rodl beingarranged for attachment to said iiexible transmission means, and a driveassociated with said pattern mechanism for actuating the latter andimparting by' the latter periodic strokes to said reciprocable actuatingrod and to said flexible transmissiony means vvithl filler threadcarrier mounted thereon so as to lay nller thread adjacent said seriesof needles.

10. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needlesextending' longitudinaly ci the machine, means for feeding warpneedles', reciproca-ble flexible transmissionv extending.'substantially' parallel to said series ci* needles, at least one fillerthread carrier selectively flxable on said flexible transmission means,a reciprocable member attached to said ilexible transmission means, arotatable element, a row of pattern elements mounted on thecircumference of said rotatable element, said row of pattern elementsbeing operatively associated with said reciprocable member, and a driveassociated with said rotatable element for actuating the latter andimparting by the pattern elements mounted thereon periodic strokes tosaid reciprocable member and to said flexible transmission means withller thread carrier mounted thereon so as to lay filler thread adjacentsaid series of needles.

11. In a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 10, said reciprocablemember being disengageably attached to said flexible transmission means.

12. In a Warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 10, adjusting meansassociated with said reciprocable member for adjusting the strokethereof.

13. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding warp yarns to saidneedles, reciprocable flexible transmission means extendingsubstantially parallel to said series of needles, at least one llerthread carrier selectively xable on said flexible transmission means, areciprocable member attached to said flexible transmission means, arotatable element, a row of pattern elements mounted on thecircumference of said rotatable element, an adjustable linkageoperatively engaged with said reciprocable member and operativelyassociated With said row of pattern elements, and a drive associted withsaid rotatable element for actuating the latter and imparting by thepattern elements mounted thereon periodic strokes through said linkageto said reciprocable member and to said flexible transmission means withller thread carrier mounted thereon so as to lay ller thread adjacent tosaid series of needles.

14. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, means for feeding warp yarns to saidneedles, reciprocable flexible transmission means extendingsubstantially parallel to said series of needles, at least one fillerthread carrier selectively fixable on said flexible transmission means,a reciprocable member attached to said flexible transmission means, arotatable element, a series of pattern elements exchangeably mounted onthe circumference of said rotatable element, said row of patternelements being operatively associated With said reciprocable member, anda drive associated with said rotatable element for actuating the latterand imparting by the pattern elements mounted thereon periodic strokesto said reciprocable member and to said flexible transmission means withfiller thread carrier mounted thereon so as to lay filler threadadjacent said series of needles.

15. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, at least one reciprocable guide barcarrying a series of warp guides for feeding warp yarns to said needles,reciprocable flexible transmission means extending substantiallyparallel to said series of needles, at least one filler thread carrierselectively xable on said flexible transmission means, a reciprocablemember attached to said flexible transmission means, a pattern mechanismhaving a plurality of rows of pattern means, a row of pattern meansbeing associated with said guide bar for imparting periodic strokes tosaid guide bar so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, another row ofpattern means being associated with said reciprocable member forimparting periodic strokes to said reciprocable member and to saidflexible transmission means with filler thread carrier mounted thereonso as to lay ller thread adjacent said series of needles, and a driveassociated with said pattern mechanism for actuating same.

16. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, at least one reciprocable guide barcarrying a series of Warp guides for feeding warp yarns to said needles,reciprocable flexible transmission means extending substantiallyparallel to said series of needles, at least one filler thread carrierselectively ilxable on said flexible transmission means, a reciprocablemember attached to said flexible transmission means, a rotatable drum,at least one pattern chain laid around said drum, pattern cam meanssecured to said drum, said pattern chain being associated with saidguide bar for imparting periodic strokes to said guide bar so as to feedwarp yarns to said needles, said pattern cam means being associated withsaid reciprocable member for imparting periodic strokes to saidreciprocable member and to said flexible transmission means with fillerthread carrier mounted thereon so as to lay filler thread adjacent saidseries of needles, and a drive associated with said rotatable drum foractuating same.

17. In a warp knitting machine: at least one series of needles extendinglongitudinally of the machine, at least one reciprocable guide barcarrying a series of Warp guides for feeding warp yarns to said needles,reciprocable flexible transmission means extending substantiallyparallel to said series of needles, at least one filler thread carrierselectively fixable on said flexible transmission means, a reciprocablemember attached to said flexible transmission means, a rotatable drum, aplurality of pattern chains laid around said drum, a pattern chain beingassociated with said guide bar for imparting periodic strokes to saidguide bar so as to feed warp yarns to said needles, another patternchain being associated with said reciprocable member for impartingperiodic strokes to said reciprocable member and to said flexibletransmission means with filler thread carrier mounted thereon so as tolay ller thread adjacent said series of needles, and a drive associatedwith said rotatable drum for actuating same.

18. An attachment for imparting periodic movements to a reciprocableflexible transmission means carrying at least one ller thread carrierfor laying ller thread adjacent to a series of needles of a warpknitting machine, comprising an actuating member constructed forattachment to the reciprocable ilexible transmission means of the warpknitting machine, an element constructed for connection with a drive ofthe warp knitting machine, and a row of pattern elements mounted on thecircumference of said element, said row of pattern elements beingassociated with said actuating member for reciprocating same.

19. In an attachment as claimed in claim 18, an adjustable strokesetting mechanism interposed between said row of pattern elements andsaid reciprocable actuating member for adjusting the stroke of thelatter.

20. An attachment for imparting periodic movements to a reciprocableexible transmission means carrying at least one ller thread carrier forlaying ller thread adjacent a series of needles of a warp knittingmachine, comprising an actuating member constructed for attachment tovthe reciprocable flexible transmission means of the Warp knittingmachine, an element constructed for connection with a drive of the warpknitting machine, and a row of pattern elements exchangeably mounted onthe circumference of said element, said row of pattern elements beingassociated with said actuating member for reciprocating same.

21. An attachment for imparting periodic movements to a reciprocableflexible transmission means carrying at least one ller thread carrierfor laying ller thread adjacent a series of needles of a Warp knittingmachine, comprising an actuating member constructed for attachment tothe reciprocable ilexible transmission means o'f the warp knittingmachine, and a pattern chain device constructed for connection with adrive of the Warp knitting machine, said pattern chain drive beingassociated with said actuating member for reciprocating same. v

22. In a pattern mechanism ofV a knitting machine a cam comprising: amain body having a circumferential groove, a series of separate cam bitsexchangeably inserted into said groove at their roots, adjacent cam bitsof said series of cam bits engaging each other, each of said cam bitshaving engaging means at its root, the main portion of each cam bitprojecting outwardly from the circumference of said main body, and aholding member detachably mounted on said main body, said holding memberbeing engaged with said engaging means of the cam bits so as to holdsaid cam bits in position.

23. In a pattern mechanism of a knitting machine a cam comprising; amain body having a circumferential groove, a series of separate cam bitsexchangeably inserted into said groove at their roots, adjacent cam bitsof said series of cam bits engaging each other, each of said cam bitshaving a recess at its root, the main portion of each cam bit projectingoutwardly from the circumference of said main body, and an annularholding member detachably mounted on said main body, a portion of saidholding member being engaged with said recesses of said cam bits so asto hold the latter in position.

FRITZ LAMBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

